Rosco 3026

Overview

Rosco 3026 is the product number for the diffusion material Tough White Diffusion from the Cinegel series by manufacturer Rosco. It is therefore not a lighting fixture, a lamp code, or grip equipment, but rather a lighting material (filter/gel) that is placed in front of the light source to make the light softer and more even.

The 3026 is a moderate diffuser, its effect often compared to tracing paper: it produces a uniform, soft light field with only minimal color temperature shift. Within the Rosco range, Tough White Diffusion is one of the most frequently used diffusion materials.

Connection to Roscolux 216

The 3026 is the equivalent of the classic Roscolux 216 (Tough White Diffusion), listed in the Cinegel series. Both have the same optical characteristics; therefore, the 3026 is often marketed with the addition "(216)". The prefix Tough refers to the heat-stable polyester base material, which allows for use on hot-running lighting fixtures.

Technical Data

Common commercial formats include the sheet size 20" x 24" (approx. 50 x 60 cm) and roll stock 48" x 25' (approx. 1.22 m x 7.6 m). An exact, consistently documented transmission or f-stop value (light loss in stops) is not consistently available in the sources reviewed; product descriptions qualitatively speak of a significant but moderate light loss.

Set Usage

The 3026 is typically used in front of daylight and tungsten lighting fixtures to break up hard light, soften hard shadow edges, and simulate a larger, softer light source. Due to its heat-stable base, it is also suitable for higher-wattage, hot-running fixtures. It is usually attached to barndoors with a clamp/clothespin (C47), in filter frames, or stretched on a frame. The low color shift makes it a "neutral" all-purpose diffusion that combines well with other gels when stronger diffusion is desired.